Kiev police chief resigns after riot police violence

By Susanna Capelouto, CNN, and Journalist Victoria Butenko

Updated 11:32 AM ET, Sun December 1, 2013

Photos: Ukraine protests77 photos

Ukraine protests – Newlyweds Mikhail and Margarita Nakonechniy kiss in front of barricades on Independence Square in a gesture of support for pro-Europe activists in Kiev, Ukraine, on Saturday, December 21. Protesters have poured into the streets of the Ukrainian capital, angered by their government's move away from the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia.

Ukraine protests – A girl wearing a traditional Ukrainian wreath attends an opposition rally in Independence Square on December 17.

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Ukraine protests – A young girl stands next to police officers guarding the presidential offices in central Kiev on December 17.

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Ukraine protests – Protesters sit behind wood bricks in Independence Square on December 17. Written on the bricks are names of Ukrainian settlements whose inhabitants are taking part in the demonstrations.

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Ukraine protests – Flowers are stuck on barriers in front of Ukrainian Interior forces guarding Kiev's administrative district on December 17.

Ukraine protests – Activists warm themselves beside a bonfire as they guard barricades at Independence Square on Monday, December 16.

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Ukraine protests – Pro-EU activists cook during a rally in Independence Square on Sunday, December 15.

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Ukraine protests – U.S. Sens. John McCain, center, and Chris Murphy, right, join Ukrainian opposition leader Vitali Klitschko during a mass rally at Independence Square on December 15. McCain told protesters seeking closer ties with Europe, "The free world is with you, America is with you."

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Ukraine protests – An estimated 200,000 pro-EU activists gather during a rally in Independence Square on December 15.

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Ukraine protests – People sing, shout slogans and wave Ukrainian and EU flags during a mass rally in Independence Square on December 15.

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Ukraine protests – Pro-EU activists wave flags around the monument to the founders of Kiev during a rally in Independence Square on December 15.

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Ukraine protests – A couple of pro-EU activists share a tender moment at a tent camp in Kiev on December 15.

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Ukraine protests – Pro-EU activists, one waving the EU flag, gather during a rally in Kiev on December 15.

Ukraine protests – A protester shouts slogans and waves a flag of the Batkivshchyna party during a protest near the Ukrainian Security Service building in Kiev on December 15.

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Ukraine protests – Ukrainian opposition supporters gather at a mass rally in Kiev on December 15.

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Ukraine protests – Demonstrators by the thousands rally in Independence Square on Saturday, December 14.

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Ukraine protests – People go through a police line separating the competing rallies of opposition protesters in Independence Square and supporters of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in Kiev on December 14.

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Ukraine protests – Supporters of the president wave flags of the ruling Party of Regions, as well as Ukrainian flags, during a rally on Kiev's European Square on December 14.

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Ukraine protests – Anti-government protesters guard a barricade designed to keep police from evicting them from Independence Square on Friday, December 13.

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Ukraine protests – Protesters stand at a barricade in Kiev on December 13.

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Ukraine protests – Protesters hold Ukrainian national flags as they picket the Ukrainian House during round-table talks between Yanukovych, former presidents and leaders of the opposition on December 13.

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Ukraine protests – Riot police storm barricades set up by pro-EU protesters in Independence Square on Wednesday, December 11.

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Ukraine protests – Riot police move against protesters on Independence Square around 2 a.m. December 11. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry expressed "disgust" over the crackdown.

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Ukraine protests – A protester calls for attention inside Kiev's City Hall after riot police were forced out from blocking the front door on December 11.

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Ukraine protests – Police enter Independence Square on December 11.

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Ukraine protests – Riot police officers block the entrance of Kiev's City Hall as protesters pour water from windows and throw smoke grenades at them on December 11.

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Ukraine protests – A young police officer guards a roadblock on Institutskaya Street near the presidential area in Kiev on December 11.

Story highlights

Interior minister apologizes for violence, but urges protesters to behave

The chief of police in Kiev, Ukraine, Valeriy Koryak, has resigned after riot police used "excessive force" against anti-government protesters, police said.

Riot police stepped in early Saturday and dispersed several hundred people who came to Independence Square in support of Ukraine's European integration. Seven people were hospitalized and dozens arrested.

The United States condemned what it called "violence against protesters" in a statement posted online by the U.S. Embassy in Kiev.

But he also warned protesters via state television against improper behavior, saying "if there are calls for mass disturbances, then we will react to this harshly."

A massive crowd of protesters, estimated to number at least 100,000, gathered Sunday in Independence Square. Some were seen setting objects on fire and throwing them at security forces. Others broke through a police barrier that was guarding a Christmas tree, climbed the tree and topped it with the Ukrainian flag.